New York City firefighters union blames fatal fire on staff shortage

Paul Martinka / AP PhotoFirefighters stand on the fire escape as winds whip the flames from a five-alarm fire in the Brooklyn borough of New York late Saturday Feb. 19, 2011. Strong winds have meant several hours of work for hundreds of New York City firefighters trying to extinguish a fire that ripped through a six-story apartment building. A fire department spokesman says at least 20 firefighters have been injured while battling Saturday's fire.

NEW YORK (AP) — The union representing New York City firefighters says staff cuts impeded how the FDNY responded to an apartment blaze that left one person dead and dozens of firefighters injured.

But the FDNY says it was conditions in the apartment along with the weather that made the fire so difficult.

Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy says the staff cuts caused delays in getting water on the Saturday night blaze in Brooklyn. It started on the 4th floor and quickly spread. One of the first engines to respond was down a firefighter after reductions and that slowed the process, Cassidy says. More than 20 firefighters were hurt, and a woman found dead.

The FDNY says that an open apartment door helped fuel the blaze, and it was stoked by heavy winds.